Naruto Birdcage

"If you can win in this upcoming competition, I can grant you even greater power."

Makoto explained the details of the Two Realms Exchange Conference to Tsunade and made her an offer.

Tsunade, however, scoffed at this. "Why should I believe you?"

Makoto responded casually, "You don't have to believe me. You don't even have to participate. This is simply an opportunity I'm giving you. Don't you want more power to kill me? To be honest, I don't think you'll ever succeed in killing me, so I have no reason to hesitate in granting you strength. You can choose to accept it—or not."

Tsunade's expression darkened and shifted unpredictably.

She understood the meaning behind his words—he didn't consider her a threat, believing he had absolute control over her...

But it was precisely this attitude that fueled her rage even more.

She swore to return all of her hatred and fury to him one day.

"It's fine," Makoto said.

"You have plenty of time to think about it. Come find me when you've made up your mind."

With that, Makoto turned and left.

Tsunade suddenly thought of Sasuke from her original world—how he had willingly defected to Orochimaru in pursuit of greater power.

She was well aware that Makoto had his own ulterior motives, just as Orochimaru did.

But if following him meant obtaining the power she desperately sought... would she make the same choice?

Is Death Scary?

After Makoto left, Shizune approached Tsunade.

"Lady Tsunade?"

"Shizune, huh." Tsunade turned to glance at her.

"What did His Majesty want from you?" Shizune asked.

Tsunade's expression remained calm. "Nothing important."

She was never one to be indecisive.

Direct and resolute, hesitation was not one of her flaws.

After just one night, Tsunade had already made up her mind.

The next day, she took the initiative to go to the palace.

"You've decided this quickly?" Makoto asked with a smile.

"I accept your offer," Tsunade replied.

"Aren't you afraid that I might go back on my word?" Makoto questioned again.

Hearing this, Tsunade simply looked at him with a blank expression.

She was already someone who had nothing left to lose.

Whatever she did, she always considered the worst possible outcome.

So what if he went back on his word?

This man, Hyuga Makoto, was utterly self-centered—treating everything and everyone like pieces in a game.

By now, Tsunade had completely seen through him.

"Come with me."

Seeing that she had no intention of making small talk, Makoto abandoned the thought and led her to the Mechanical Science Research Institute.

"This is the latest model of the Body Forging Pod—triple power output, upgraded in every aspect compared to the previous generation. It has not yet been officially rolled out," explained Tohnogawa, the head of the Scientific Artisans Department, as he introduced them to a machine resembling a stasis pod.

The so-called Body Forging Pod was originally the machine used to create the Brutal Justice bio-armor.

However, its power output had been drastically reduced to a level that the human body could endure.

Currently, it had only been introduced in Konoha on a limited scale.

Listening to Tohnogawa's explanation, Tsunade was filled with doubt and astonishment.

Could a mere machine really substitute for years of training and discipline?

If this device were to be mass-produced, then surely no force in the world could rival the Empire.

"Among all tested users, even Jonin specialized in taijutsu can only endure up to the second power level. The only person capable of handling the maximum output is Might Guy."

The process of using the Body Forging Pod was excruciatingly painful, but this pain could be mitigated through medical technology.

The true challenge lay in the human body's capacity to withstand the process.

The principle behind the pod was based on Makoto's personal training method—using vibrations to continuously temper the body.

The challenge was to achieve the strengthening effect without causing irreversible harm, which had been the primary difficulty in its development.

Makoto said, "Your body has great potential, but potential alone does not equal strength. This Body Forging Pod can help you quickly regain your former peak—and even surpass it."

Tohnogawa added, "The new model of the Body Forging Pod is equipped with comprehensive healing and anesthesia technologies. The experience won't be painful."

After gaining a clear understanding of the pod, Tsunade decided to give it a try as the two suggested.

She stepped inside, lying down as the pod door slowly closed.

The confined space made her feel a sense of unease.

Fortunately, the air inside wasn't stifling.

Instead, there was a strange, soothing fragrance.

As she inhaled, Tsunade felt her control over her body slowly slipping away.

"Don't worry," Tohnogawa's voice came through from outside the pod.

"Your Majesty, let's start with the first power level."

Tohnogawa activated the machine, monitoring the data displayed on the screen.

Once Tsunade had completely fallen into a deep sleep, he pressed the start button.

In an instant, the entire Body Forging Pod lit up with a bright blue glow, and the glass chamber was visibly filled with dense chakra.

Makoto glanced at the data on the screen and said, "Set it to the third power level directly."

Tohnogawa was startled but did not question His Majesty's decision.

He immediately adjusted the power output to the maximum.

The numbers on the central screen spiked instantly, approaching the red line, but soon began to stabilize and gradually decreased.

Tohnogawa couldn't help but let out a quiet "Oh?" in surprise.

Half an hour later, the pod door slowly opened.

Inside, Tsunade's skin was flushed red, and steam was visibly rising from her body, as if she had just been boiled.

She opened her eyes but did not get up immediately.

Instead, she lay there, quietly staring at the ceiling.

After a moment, she suddenly asked, "Can I keep using this machine?"

Tohnogawa replied, "Every person's physique is different. After using the Body Forging Pod, a recovery period is required. For ordinary people, the maximum frequency is once per month. However, your body is exceptionally strong, so we need to reassess the interval. I estimate you could use it once per week."

Even though most people could only use it once a month, just thirty minutes inside the pod provided benefits that even half a year of rigorous training might not achieve.

"One week, huh…" Tsunade muttered to herself.

Suddenly, she felt that even a week was far too long.

With this machine at her disposal, she firmly believed that one day, she would surpass Hyuga Makoto!

Just this half-hour session had already transformed her completely.

Supporting herself against the pod, she stepped out.

She could feel the weakness in her body, but she didn't care.

"How do you feel?" Makoto asked from the side.

Tsunade glanced at him and, for once, didn't snap back at him. "Not bad."

Makoto grinned. "As long as it's good. Remember our agreement—I'm giving you all this so you can win the tournament."

Tsunade scoffed, thinking to herself, So what if I lose?

There was still a month left until the Two Realms Exchange Tournament.

That meant she could use the Body Forging Pod four more times.

Coupled with the Sage Mark, surpassing her past peak was entirely within reach.

After all, she was once the Hokage.

It wasn't like she was going to face an enemy on the level of Madara again, right?

The Shinigami…

Makoto hadn't said what would happen if she lost.

Punishments weren't necessary in his eyes.

In the end, forcing someone would only produce resistance—and he had already done enough of that.

If Tsunade were to lose the tournament, and Makoto didn't blame her, it would instead make her feel uncomfortable.

Right now, her hatred for him ran deep—any guilt she might feel would be minimal at best.

But even the smallest crack can be the first sign of a collapsing dam.

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